Prayer Requests

This time two years ago I wrote to you to ask prayers for the repose of the soul of my (then) six-year-old son’s best friend, Uchenna, who drowned when on a dream family holiday in Hawaii. I’m emailing to let you and your readers know how those prayers have been answered.

First, here is the text of the prayer that Uchenna’s mother read out at his funeral:

Uchenna My SonWho would have thought I’d stand here to say your days on this earth are done?Uchenna my bright shining StarSo near in my heart, but now you must shine from afarEver playful, ever joyful, my Uche BoyA true big brother, Always most likely to give up your favourite toyGone but never forgotten

You’ll always shine on my sonYou were heaven sent; a special one.Now it’s time for us to say a fond farewellUntil we meet again in his kingdom where we all shall dwellI’ll miss you, I love youUchenna My Son.

If I could turn back the hands of time, You’d be right here tightly in these arms of mine,But it is not so and we must all acceptThat a greater being than I has a purpose for you nowI know not where, or when or howBut I trust all will be revealed on that final dayWhen I will see you again and most surely sayI missed you, I love youUchenna, My Son

In the two years that have passed since Uchenna’s death, his parents have been extraordinary examples of faith in suffering. Uchenna’s mother has now set up a You Tube channel to help those who have lost children; it begins with her own testimony.

May I thank you and your readers for their prayers and ask them to continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Uchenna Olebara, and his family and friends.

Father, grant eternal light to Uchenna and continue to grant his family the grace, strength and peace so evident in their lives, that they may bear fruit for your kingdom through Christ our Lord and meet one day merrily in heaven. Mother Mary, pray for them.

Another reader writes:

As of yesterday afternoon I’m looking for a new job. My boss wasn’t paying me and the amount owed had gotten too high for me to keep trusting his “I hope to have some funds to you on x day”. It’s scary because this is the first time I’ve been out of work and looking for a job since college (every move I’ve made has been while I was still employed) but I know many of your readers have been in a similar position and I would appreciate their prayers. Also, if any of your readers from CT knows of good sales opportunities that’s my field so I would love to hear about them. I know that God will provide for my family (wife, 3 boys ages 3, 2 and 3 months) because He always has.

Father, grant him this man a new and better job swiftly that he may serve you and care for his family. Help him to connect with the people who can point him to work at a living wage. Mother Mary and St. Joseph, pray for him! We ask this through Christ our Lord.

By the way, let me add that this reader, who was already struggling financially, was willing to open his home to take in the baby whose mother was considering abortion. Step up, Body of Christ, match his generosity by helping him find work if you can. You guys are fantastic. You inspire me.